Method, apparatus and system for remotely and dynamically configuring network elements in a network

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system enable remote, responsive and dynamic management and configuration of various network elements on wired or wireless networks. In one embodiment, a host controller may obtain privileges to remotely configure network elements that include a configuration module. The host controller may additionally communicate with network elements on different networks via secure tunnels between the networks.

1 . A system comprising: 
 a controller including a configuration module, the configuration module capable of receiving as input configuration information;    at least two different network devices, each of the at least two different network devices including a configuration agent communicatively coupled to the configuration module, the configuration module capable of transmitting the configuration information from the controller to the configuration agent.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller and the at least two different network devices reside on a local network.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller resides on a local network and the at least two different network devices reside on a remote network.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein the configuration module is further capable of transmitting the configuration information from the controller to the configuration agent after a secure connection is established between the local network and the remote network.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 4  wherein the secure connection is established between the local network and the remote network via a gateway.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 4  wherein the secure connection comprises a tunnel between the local network and the remote network via the gateway.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein the configuration module is further capable of transmitting the configuration information from the controller to the configuration agent via the tunnel.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein the configuration the configuration information is capable of configuring one or more of the at least two different network devices.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the configuration information includes network topology information.  
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the configuration information includes configuration information for the at least two different network devices.  
   
   
       11 . A method comprising: 
 receiving configuration information;    determining based on the configuration information whether the configuration information is destined for devices residing one of a local network and a remote network, the remote network separated from the local network by a gateway;    establishing a secure tunnel if the configuration information is destined for the remote network.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising transmitting the configuration information directly to the devices if the configuration information is destined for the local network.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising: 
 receiving authorization from a gateway to communicate via the secure tunnel with devices on the remote network; and    transmitting the configuration information to the devices.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the configuration information includes topology information for the one of the public network and the private network.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the devices on the one of the local network and the remote network include a configuration agent capable of receiving the configuration information.  
   
   
       16 . An article comprising a machine-accessible medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to: 
 receive configuration information;    determine based on the configuration information whether the configuration information is destined for devices residing one of a local network and a remote network, the remote network separated from the local network by a gateway;    establish a secure tunnel if the configuration information is destined for the remote network.    
   
   
       17 . The article according to  claim 16  wherein the instructions, when executed by the machine, further cause the machine to transmit the configuration information directly to the devices if the configuration information is destined for the local network.  
   
   
       18 . The article according to  claim 16  wherein the instructions, when executed by the machine, further cause the machine to: 
 receive authorization from a gateway to communicate via the secure tunnel with the devices on the remote network; and    transmit the configuration information to the devices.    
   
   
       19 . The article according to  claim 16  wherein the configuration information includes topology information for the one of the public network and the private network.  
   
   
       20 . The article according to  claim 16  wherein the devices on the one of the public network and the private network include a configuration agent capable of receiving the configuration information.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a computing device including a processor;    an input device coupled to the computing device, the input device capable of accepting configuration information for the computing device; and    a controller coupled to the processor, the controller capable of receiving the configuration information accepted by the input device, the controller further capable of transmitting the configuration information from the controller to a configuration agent residing on a remote device.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the controller is further capable of: 
 determining based on the configuration information whether the configuration information is destined for devices on one of a local network and a remote network, the remote network separated from the local network by a gateway; and    establishing a secure tunnel if the configuration information is destined for the remote network.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the controller is further capable of transmitting the configuration information directly to the devices if the configuration information is destined for the local network.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the configuration information includes topology information for the one of the local network and the remote network.